The term relates to the economic health of town centres. PPG6 'Town Centres and Retail Developments' states that the vitality and viability of town centres depends on four factors including retaining and developing a wide range of attractions and amenities, creating and maintaining an attractive environment, ensuring good accessibility to and within the centre and attracting continuing investment in development or refurbishment of existing buildings.
Terms used to describe the health of a city, or local centre. Normally, applied In relation to retailing. Vitality refers to the amount and quality of activity which takes place both in respect of the retail, cultural and community activities. Viability refers to its ability to adapt and survive in the long term.
Taken together, these give an indication of the health of a town or shopping centre.
Usually refers to a health check of town centres, with a number of indicator used including: - commercial property yields; shop rents; pedestrian numbers and movements; the nature and diversity of uses; and the proportion of vacant units.
Vitality is a reflection of how busy a centre is at different times and in different parts. Viability is a measure of its capacity to attract ongoing investment, for maintenance, improvement and adaptation to changing needs. Source: NPPG 8 Town Centres and Retailing
The factors by which the economic health of a town centre can be measured